#86 SIR V. BROOKE ON THE [Nov. 19, 



(2) Two slender pointed bones, the rudiments of the second and 

 fifth metacarpals (Plate LV. figs. 1, 2' and 5'), situated posterior to 

 and one on each side of the distal extremity of the metacarpal cannon. 

 These bones articulate with their respective phalanges, but are 

 separated from the carpus by a wide interval. The proximal phalanx 

 of these digits (Plate LV. fig. \, p)'\s superior in size to the central 

 and ungual phalanges. 



For these forms Professor Flower has kindly assisted me in finding 

 convenient names. For the former, that in which the proximal (or 

 near) extremities of the lateral metacarpals remain, I would propose 

 the term Plesiometacarpal (ttXi] trior, near, and jjeTcucdptnov, metacar- 

 pus); and the latter, that in which the distal (or more remote) extremity 

 of these bones remains, I would designate Telemetacarpal (rfjXe, far, 

 /leraKapiriov, metacarpus). 



With the view of ascertaining whether the myology of the fore 

 limbs of the Cervidte confirms or confutes the importance which I 

 would assign to their osteological characters, I have been lately en- 

 gaged in the examination of the muscles of the fore limbs of the 

 Artiodactyles in general. My materials have been, however, as yet 

 far too meagre to justify me in attaching any great weight to the cha- 

 racters afforded by myology ; but I am encouraged in expecting that 

 my observations may not be altogether unimportant, in which case 

 I shall hope to lay them before the Society upon some future oc- 

 casion. 



I will only here mention that in the telemetacarpal limb of the 

 Common Roe, the phalanges of each lateral digit are supplied with 

 two tendons from the extensor muscles of the forearm — a condition 

 precisely similar to that which obtains in the tetradactvle Tragulus. 

 On the other hand, in the plesiometacarpal limb of the Red Deer and 

 Fallow Deer, the lateral phalanges are entirely without muscular at- 

 tachment. In neither the Roe, Red Deer, or Fallow Deer are the 

 lateral phalanges supplied with tendons from the flexors. A similar 

 condition is seen in Tragulus, in which form the lateral phalanges are 

 but slightly functional ; but in the telemetacarpal limb of Moschus 

 the lateral phalanges are (as in Sus) supplied with strong tendons 

 from the flexor profundus digitorum. In Moschus, the lateral pha- 

 langes are highly functional. The special office performed by the 

 lateral phalanges is the prevention of the animal slipping when 

 rushing at speed down slopes or sinking in swampy ground ; and this 

 function is effected without danger of the displacement of these deli- 

 cate structures, by means of strong ligamentous bands developed in 

 the aponeurosis surrounding them, which bind them firmly in their 

 normal position. In the telemetacarpal limbs which I have ex- 

 amined, in addition to these bands, distinct round ligaments pass from 

 the sides of the distal articular surface of the metapodium to the 

 centre of the metacarpal spliut on each side (Plate LV. fig. 1, r-r), 

 and aid in preventing its displacement upwards, upon undue pressure 

 being applied from without. 



In the annexed list of all the known species of existing Deer, ar- 

 ranged according to their geographical distribution, the names of 



